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Nutrition and Cancer: Salvestrol Case Studies Keyword: Cytochrome P450, CYP1B1, Salvestrols, natural anticancer prodrug 1 Corresponding author: Clinical Intelligence Corp., 205-1095 McKenzie Avenue, Victoria, BC Canada V8P 2L5; email: bschaefer@aiinc.ca; Tel: 250- 483-3640 2 Director and Medicinal Chemist, Nature’s Defence Investments, Charnwood Science Centre, High Street, Syston, Leicester LE7 1GQ United Kingdom. 3 Professor Emeritus of Pharmaceutical Metabolism, Nature’s Defence Investments. 4 Professor, Head of Cancer Drug Discovery Group, De Montfort University, Leicester Introduction
Salvestrols are a class of phytonutrients that, in humans, are metabolised by the tumour-
specific CYP1B1 enzyme in cancer cells1-8 to initiate a cascade of processes, including
apoptosis, that result in the arrest or decline of the cancer. In this way Salvestrols are
natural prodrugs as their activity hinges on activation by CYP1B1.9, 10
In their natural source Salvestrols form part of a plant’s defence mechanism. Some are
hydrophilic while others are lipophilic but all are phytoalexins that are elicited by
invading pathogens. For example, when a ripe fruit comes under attack by fungus the
synthesis of a pathogen-specific Salvestrol is induced. The Salvestrol is synthesised at the
site of the attack, typically the skin of the fruit or the root of the plant, and enters the
Through our long history of co-evolution with dietary plants we appear to have
developed a different defensive use for Salvestrols from our foods. We use them in
helping to rid our body of cells that have become cancerous.10 Unfortunately, our recently
introduced processed foods are very low in Salvestrols and other beneficial
phytonutrients and this depletion may underlie the ever increasing cancer rate in the
developed world.11 Furthermore, modern agricultural methods have significantly depleted
the Salvestrol levels in our foods making it more and more difficult for us to benefit from
this natural anticancer mechanism through diet alone.12, 13
This natural defence mechanism has a variety of pleasing attributes. First, it is not
harmful. The toxins produced through the metabolism of Salvestrols by CYP1B1 are
confined to the cancer cells and are exhausted through the destruction of the cell. Second,
it is a food-based mechanism that relies solely on enzymatic activation and certain co-
factors that should also form part of one’s daily nutrition. Third, this mechanism provides
a clear and easily understood link between diet and cancer that can serve as an impetus
for dietary change. Fourth, CYP1B1 is now widely regarded as a universal cancer marker
due to its pervasiveness throughout the various cancers and stages of cancer14. Given this
universality the same defence mechanism can be used regardless of the oncogenic origin
Our nutritional requirements are complex and a food based rescue mechanism cannot
operate in absolute isolation. Consequently, co-factors become important to maximise the
effectiveness. First among these is a change in diet towards organic produce. This not
only reduces intake of potential cytochrome P450 inhibitors, it supplies an additional host
of Salvestrols, beneficial nutrients and cofactors. Second is exercise to provide much
needed oxygen for optimal metabolic activity of CYP1B1. Biotin (vitamin H) will
stimulate production of CYP enzymes including CYP1B1 while magnesium and niacin
will stimulate the Salvestrol activation mechanism. Iron forms the core of the CYP1B1
enzyme and vitamin C serves to preserve Salvestrols from premature oxidation as well as
potentially supplying CYP1B1 with electrons needed for metabolism. In short, attention
to one’s nutrition will greatly assist the rescue mechanism.
In this article we report on a variety of case studies to highlight both the impact of dietary
change and phytonutrients on the progress of disease and to show the breadth of
applicability of this food based defence mechanism. Cases involving lung cancer,
melanoma, prostate cancer, breast cancer and bladder cancer are discussed.
Two separate product formulations have been used in these cases: the original high dose
formulation will be indicated as having 1,000 Salvestrol points while the new lower dose
formulation will be indicated as having 350 Salvestrol points. Salvestrol points constitute
a metric of the amount of a given Salvestrol in a capsule. It is estimated that the minimum
recommended daily intake to maintain wellbeing is 100 points. An individual with a body
weight between 77 – 84 kg should consume a daily intake of 4200 points as a maximum
Case #1. Lung cancer
A sixty-nine-year-old male was diagnosed, via bronchoscopy and confirming pathology,
with inoperable, stage 2-3 squamous-cell carcinoma of the lung. A seven-centimetre
tumour was detected that was adhering to the sternum and chest wall. Further to this,
enlarged lymph nodes were also detected, one of which was approaching 3 centimetres in
diameter. This patient was experiencing no pain and had reported to his doctor due to
coughing up blood. No chemotherapy or radiation therapies were recommended. He was
given a life expectancy of eight to eighteen months and sent home.
This patient immediately commenced a diet of fresh, organic fruit, vegetables and juices.
Meat, refined sugar and dairy products were eliminated from his diet. As diet and
lifestyle may well have contributed to his condition dietary change was strongly
recommended with an emphasis on organic fruit and vegetables. Along with the dietary
change he began taking 12 (350 point) Salvestrol supplements per day, commensurate
with his body weight. This comprised six Salvestrol Professional (hydrophilic - 350
point) capsules and six Salvestrol Gold (lipophilic - 350 point) capsules, spread through
the day by taking two of each capsule after each of the three daily meals. This level of
Salvestrol supplementation was carried out for six weeks.
At the end of the first week of dietary change and Salvestrol supplementation he was no
longer coughing up blood. Within three weeks his diagnosis had been changed from
inoperable to operable lung cancer requiring removal of one lung. At the end of three
weeks a biopsy of the largest lymph node was taken following a PET scan and it was
found to be negative. The diagnosis was again changed to operable lung cancer requiring
removal of one lobe of the affected lung.
Six weeks after commencement of dietary change and Salvestrol supplementation surgery
was performed. Rather than removing the one lobe of the lung as planned, the surgeon
simply removed the shrunken tumour and a couple of suspicious lymph nodes. During
surgery the tumour was found to be clear of the sternum and chest wall.
Postoperative analysis of the lymph nodes proved that they were not cancerous. This
patient was deemed cancer free. Subsequent to the surgery he has reduced the amount of
Salvestrol supplementation to six capsules per day, spread across the daily meals and has
also maintained a diet rich in organic fruit and vegetables.
Case #2. Melanoma
A ninety-four year old woman was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma on her foot
following a biopsy. At time of diagnosis the woman was unable to walk and black spots
had appeared on her body. The cancerous sore had not responded to any treatments that
had been provided by her doctor and the nurses at her nursing home prior to diagnosis.
The melanoma was deemed to be inoperable as the surgeons felt that a skin graft would
be required and that, given the patient’s age and condition, the graft was not likely to
take. Amputation of the foot would result and chemotherapy would be required. It was
determined between the attending physicians and the family not to proceed with the
treatment course that had been outlined as the patient was unlikely to survive the
treatment. The family asked what alternative procedures might be followed and were told
none. She was given a life expectancy of two weeks and returned to the nursing home
with her family. The family was advised that if she lived longer than the two weeks she
would require morphine to control the pain.
Upon returning home the family started her on a course of Salvestrols. She began to use
Salvestrol Gold Cream three times per day on the melanoma. The Salvestrol Gold Cream
is a cream infused with the lipophilic Salvestrol found in the Salvestrol Gold supplement
(T31G). In addition, a course of Salvestrol supplementation was also started. Four (1,000
point) Salvestrol Gold capsules were taken per day, spread throughout the day for seven
months. Subsequently four (350 point) Salvestrol Gold capsules were taken per day. The
family also changed her diet from that served at the nursing home to an organic,
In addition, she was seen by a naturopathic physician and an alternative treatment plan
Anti inflammatory diet (minimal dairy; no tomatoes; no red meat; replace sugar with berries and simple carbohydrates; rice protein in a shake and/or UltraimflammX as a protein source; substitute berries for sugar and simple carbohydrates; fruit juice); Fish Oils 1g EPA / day; Modified Citrus Pectin 10 grams / day; Quercetin 6 capsules / day Curcumin 4 capsules / day; Vitamin D3 1000 – 1200 IU / day; Reishi 2grams / day Metagenics-Inflamed / UltraInflam 2 scoops / day; Buffered Vitamin C up to 10 grams / day or to Bowel tolerance; IV Vitamin C 2 times / week up to 50 g / session.
Contrary to expectation no pain medication was ever required. After a few months the
melanoma was healing sufficiently that she was able to put some weight on it. The black
spots that had appeared on her body stopped developing further and were contained. A
few months later she began walking and was pushing her wheelchair rather than being
pushed in her wheelchair. A slow and steady progress was observed.
No contact with physicians was made for a period of one year. After one year had elapsed
one of the physicians involved in the original diagnosis visited the woman and performed
an examination. The melanoma was gone and the foot completely healed. The woman
was deemed to be cancer free and it was noted that she had an extremely strong immune
At the age of 95 she is now enjoying walks with her friends although not for as great a
distance as she once enjoyed. She experiences no pain that could have resulted from her
Case #3. Prostate cancer A seventy-four-year-old gentleman received a PSA test result indicating a level of 11
ng/ml in the blood following his annual check-up. His previous PSA result had been 4
ng/ml. The consulting surgeon suspected cancer and advised that surgery or radiation
would be required. A follow-up magnetic resonance scan and full body X-ray confirmed
a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Surgery or radiation were both ruled out and the patient
was prescribed a course of the synthetic hormone leuprorelin acetate (Prostap®) on a
quarterly basis. The patient was advised that this treatment would be required for the rest
Subsequently this gentleman spoke with his cousin, a university lecturer, who told him
that one of his students was diagnosed with a terminal cancer of the brain and after taking
Salvestrols had proved to her doctors that ‘terminal’ seemed to be an overstatement. He
decided to begin a course of Salvestrol supplementation taking two (350 point) Salvestrol
Six months after receiving his diagnosis his PSA level had dropped to below 1 ng/ml.
However, during this time the patient suffered from breast development, complete loss of
body hair, impotence and a complete lack of libido as a result of the synthetic hormones.
The patient moving to another country necessitated a change of doctors. At this point the
patient switched Salvestrol products and began taking one (1,000 point) Salvestrol
Professional capsule per day and one (350 point) Salvestrol Professional capsule three
times per day. Twelve months after receiving his diagnosis his PSA level had dropped to
The new doctor continued with the PSA monitoring and quarterly injections of Lupron
(a different brand of leuprorelin acetate). Upon receiving a subsequent PSA test result for
this patient the attending physician said that the PSA level received was as low as it could
be and asked if the patient was sure that he had not had surgery! Given the physician’s
surprise that such a result could be attributed to leuprorelin acetate alone the patient
confessed to taking Salvestrols. The physician then stated that he had a patient that he
would like to start on Salvestrols and asked the patient to supply him with background
information. The physician decided to ‘wean’ the patient off of the quarterly Lupron
This patient has not had a Lupron injection for six months and continues to receive PSA
test results at the 0.2 ng/ml level. The patient continues to take one (350 point) Salvestrol
Professional capsule per day and has embarked on a fitness program and change in diet.
Case #4. Breast cancer A thirty-six-year-old woman sought medical attention after pain in her right side
interfered with her ability to carry on with her fitness class. Aggressive, stage 3 breast
cancer was diagnosed following mammography and additional medical imaging. The
diagnosis was subsequently confirmed through biopsies and blood tests. A 3-5cm tumour
was found under the right breast and a larger tumour was found in an underarm lymph
node. The breast tumour looked the size of a golf ball on the image. She was told that her
situation was ‘really, really serious.’ An aggressive treatment plan was devised consisting
of eight sessions of chemotherapy (four of intravenous adriamycin one every three weeks
plus four of intravenous docetaxol one every three weeks) to be followed by surgical
removal of the tumours, radiotherapy and Tamoxifen.
The patient responded to the proposed treatment plan with trepidation but through
befriending a woman that was diagnosed the same day with a less aggressive, stage 2
breast cancer, she summoned the courage to commence treatment. Shortly thereafter the
Before her second chemotherapy session she learned about Salvestrols and began taking
one (1,000 point) Salvestrol Gold capsule per day. Feeling ‘rock bottom’ at the time she
sceptically wondered how on earth these capsules were going to help. Consequently she
was very surprised to find that the pain associated with the tumours soon disappeared and
the tumours began to shrink quickly. She began to feel that ‘she was going to be OK.’
This prompted her to learn more about Salvestrols and after learning more she switched
to a completely organic diet and began using organic deodorant, shampoo, soap, etc. This
simultaneously minimised her exposure to CYP1B1 inhibitors and increased her intake of
Prior to her third chemotherapy session she was examined by her oncologist who
remarked that she thought that the tumours were gone. Ultrasound and mammography
were schedule to verify and to identify placement of titanium markers to assist the
surgeons. To everyone’s surprise the radiologist could find no trace of the tumours
through ultrasound and only a shadow was visible on the mammogram. They were
consequently unable to place the titanium markers.
She told her new friend about Salvestrols and how her tumours appeared to be gone. Her
friend preferred to stay the course with the medical professionals she was dealing with.
Just after her fifth chemotherapy session she learned that her new friend had died.
Personnel involved with delivery of the chemotherapy let slip that one in four women die
during their chemotherapy sessions. This news, the death of her new friend and the shock
expressed by her medical team at her recent mammography result caused her to loose
faith in her physicians. If the physicians were not anticipating such a mammography
result with these drugs why were they administering them? At this point she had
completed five chemotherapy sessions. She compared the proposed treatment plan to
‘Russian Roulette’ and refused further conventional treatment. The medical staff tried to
barter with her to get her to proceed with radiotherapy. An MRI scan was scheduled.
Upon receipt of the results they announced to her that she had ‘active cancer cells’
although the shadow that had been seen on the prior mammogram was no longer visible.
She called another hospital to find out if ‘active cancer cells’ could be detected through
MRI imaging. They replied that they could not be detected in isolation only inferred by
the presence of a shadow or tumour. Her medical team argued that she should proceed
with radiotherapy and surgery although no tumours were present. She declined.
Concerned about the wear and tear on her body from the chemotherapy she increased the
dosage of Salvestrol supplementation to include one capsule per day of Salvestrol
Professional (350 point). Almost immediately after she increased the dosage her periods
resumed. Four months after refusing further chemotherapy her hair had grown back and
she reported that she looked and felt wonderful. Presently, she actively assists people
with cancer in their struggle to regain their health.
Case #5. Bladder cancer A fifty-five year old male presented to his physician with blood in his urine. He was
diagnosed with superficial bladder cancer following a cystoscopic examination of his
bladder. Hundreds of small tumours were found. The treatment consisted of scraping the
cancerous tissue away. Cystoscopic examinations were scheduled at six month intervals
to monitor disease progression and to perform subsequent scraping of further cancerous
tissue. No other form of treatment was prescribed. This cycle of cystoscopic examination
and scraping every six months was carried on for six years before this gentleman learned
Upon hearing about Salvestrols he began taking one (1,000 point) Salvestrol Gold
capsule per day and three (1,000 point) Salvestrol Professional capsules per day. The four
capsules were taken at different times throughout the day to maintain a consistent level of
salvestrols in the blood steam. This gentleman did not engage in any dietary change,
lifestyle change and did not include any other supplements or treatments into his daily
Five months after starting the Salvestrol regimen a cystoscopic examination was
scheduled. No tumours or cancerous tissue were found and he was deemed to be cancer
free. Shortly after he stopped taking Salvestrols. One year after being declared cancer
free a tumour was located in his kidney.
It can be very difficult to determine the full extent of one’s cancer and tumours can be
missed. Given this it is important to continue taking a maintenance level of Salvestrols
after being given the ‘all clear’ to ensure that undetected metastases are dealt with. This
gentleman has now received further Salvestrols to resume his regimen.
Conclusion
These cases help to illustrate the role of nutrition in cancer. Salvestrols and the CYP1B1
enzyme form a food based rescue mechanism that spans the full array of cancers
regardless of oncogenic origin. As a food based rescue mechanism it relies on food based
nutrients to serve as cofactors to facilitate the beneficial reaction. Combining Salvestrol
supplementation with dietary change can provide positive outcomes for patients. For
patients that have recovered from cancer incorporating this food based rescue mechanism
into their daily nutrition by way of dietary change or supplementation is well advised.
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